Week #3 Game Recap: Edina

Running back Grayson Spronk rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns as the Prior Lake Lakers defeated the Edina Hornets 24-9 Sept. 16 at Kuhlman Stadium.

The Lakers improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Metro Gold South Sub-District with the win, while the Hornets dropped to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the Metro Gold South Sub-District with the loss.

Prior Lake started the game with the ball and went three-and-out but the drive continued after the Hornets were called for a roughing the kicker penalty on the punt.

A couple of plays later, running back Levi Eiter weaved his way through the Edina defense for a 29-yard run deep into Hornet territory.

Two plays later, Spronk took a handoff from quarterback Luke Crosby, broke a couple of tackles and fell into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown to give the Lakers a 7-0 lead with 9:26 to go in the first quarter.

The Prior Lake defense forced a three-and-out on the first Edina drive to set the Lakers up near midfield but the Lakers gave the ball right back on a fumble by Eiter.

The Hornets moved the ball into Laker territory on a long third-down completion but the Prior Lake defense held and forced a punt.

However, the Edina defense forced a three-and-out to give the Hornets the ball near the Prior Lake 35-yard line.

The Laker defense made a stop but not before the Hornets moved the ball into field goal range as Edina kicked a 39-yard field goal to cut the Prior Lake lead to 7-3 with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.

A long kick return by tight end Trace Bowman on the ensuing kickoff advanced the ball to the Edina 45-yard line.

Two plays later, Spronk took the handoff and ran to his right, into the open field, down the Edina sideline and into the end zone for the Laker touchdown to increase the Prior Lake lead to 14-3 in the closing seconds of the first quarter.

The Hornets looked as though they were going to answer to start the second quarter but the drive stalled at the Prior Lake 16-yard line and receiver/defensive back Jake Fier blocked the 33-yard field goal attempt the keep Edina off the scoreboard.

The teams exchanged defensive stops on the next few possessions as halftime approached.

Edina had the final opportunity before halftime when they executed a reverse pass trick play down to Prior Lake’s 10-yard line with one second on the clock but was unable to score on the final play of the half, keeping the score 14-3 Prior Lake at halftime.

The Hornets received the kickoff to start the second half but the Lakers quickly got the ball back when an arrant pass was intercepted by safety Drew Hammerstrom.

Prior Lake’s offense was stopped near the Hornet 10-yard line but kicker Logan Lehrer drilled a 28-yard field goal to increase the Prior Lake lead to 17-3 with 8:53 left in the third quarter.

Edina drove down the field on the next drive inside the Prior Lake 5-yard line but a key tackle in the backfield by Greg Johnson and Lucas Larson followed by a pair of incomplete passes turned the ball back over to the Lakers.

The Lakers weren’t able to score on the ensuing drive but moved the ball past midfield before punting and flipping field position as the fourth quarter began.

However, Edina got their only touchdown of the game on a 70-yard screen pass on the next drive. A bad snap on the extra point attempt kept the score at 17-9 Lakers with 7:48 to go in regulation.

A good kick return by Fier on the ensuing kickoff moved the ball near midfield.

The Prior Lake offense then put together an 11-play 55-yard drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Hunter MacGillivray that increased the Laker lead to 24-9 with 2:21 left in the game.

Edina had one final opportunity to score in the closing minute but a fourth down stop turned the ball over to the Lakers and allowed Prior Lake to run out the clock for the 24-9 win.

Statistically, Crosby completed 4 of 11 passes for 39 yards.

Spronk led the rushing attack with 154 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.

Bowman, Spronk, receiver Nate Bodine, and receiver/running back Joey Krouse each caught a pass for Prior Lake.

Hammerstrom was the leading tackler with nine tackles, in addition to his interception. Krouse and linebacker Aidan McGowan each had seven tackles.

Week #4 Preview: Lakeville North

A South Suburban Conference rivalry will be renewed on Friday Sept. 23 when Prior Lake hosts Lakeville North for homecoming at 7pm at Dan Patch Stadium.

The Lakers and the Panthers have met nine times since the South Suburban Conference was formed in 2010 with the Prior Lake winning five of those matchups.

The matchup has been nicknamed the “Blue Collar Bowl” in years past by the two coaching staffs because of the traditional physicality of the game and the programs.

Prior Lake won the last season’s matchup 17-14 at Lakeville North High School.

The Panthers (1-2 Overall, 0-2 Metro Gold South) beat Eastview 42-13 in Week 1 before losing to then top-ranked Lakeville South 34-0 in Week 2 and Rosemount 28-7 in Week 3.

The Lakeville North offense is led by sophomore quarterback Riley Grossman. Grossman, a left-handed thrower, has completed 31 of 70 passes for 454 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

The rushing attack is led by running back Sawyer Wilke who has 235 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries. Running back Sam Ripplinger has also contributed on the ground with 152 yards on 26 carries.

Sam Nolan is the leading receiver with 16 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

Notes

Kickoff at Dan Patch Stadium on Friday is scheduled for 7pm.

PL Lakers Live will be streaming Friday’s game. Friday’s stream with Dom Dandrea, Ben Tressel and John Wahlstrom will be live at the following link:

https://www.plhsactivities.org/lakerslive

Follow @plhsfootball, @pllakers, @PLHSLakers, @PLLakersLive on Twitter for updates and links to the streams throughout the season.

Be sure to check back next week for a recap of the Lakeville North game and a preview of the matchup against Eden Prairie.

Taylor Smith can be reached at tay1@me.com or on Twitter at @taysmith2013.